Andrew Wigginshttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/andrew-wiggins
en-usTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:51:26 -0500Tue, 03 Mar 2015 19:51:26 -0500The latest news on Andrew Wiggins from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-blowing-away-expectations-2015-1No. 1 Draft Pick Andrew Wiggins Is Quietly Blowing Away Expectationshttp://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-blowing-away-expectations-2015-1
Thu, 08 Jan 2015 12:00:00 -0500William Scott Davis
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/54aeaac0ecad044a70c27154-1123-842/andrew-wiggins-wolves-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Andrew Wiggins Wolves"></p><p>Andrew Wiggins was a high school phenom,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-picks-kansas-2013-5"> hyped as a future NBA superstar</a> before he ever went to college.</p>
<p>When he finally got onto the court at the University of Kansas, the hype began to fade. He was good, but not as dominant as you'd expect from a guy who was talked about as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-next-lebron-2013-5">The Next LeBron</a>.</p>
<p>NBA talent evaluators began to temper expectations: citing his young age, occasional lack of aggressiveness on offense, and overall need to develop.</p>
<p>Going into the draft, <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Andrew-Wiggins-Scouting-Report-and-Video-Breakdown-4414/">Mike Schmitz of Draft Express noted</a> that Wiggins would need time to grow as a player:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">To reach his full potential, NBA teams will want to see Wiggins become more aggressive with the way he approaches the game. He has somewhat of a laid-back demeanor on the floor... Part of that might have to do with his youth, lack of experience and strength.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">To his credit, Wiggins only recently turned 19 years old, and is obviously nowhere near a finished product.</p>
<p>Despite being taken with the No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/notebook/_/page/ROY1415/2014-15-rookie-year-predictions">most NBA people expected No. 2 pick Jabari Parker to win Rookie of the Year</a>.</p>
<p>When he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part as the Kevin Love deal, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/coach-k-kevin-love-trade-2014-7">Wiggins was talked about in terms of potential</a>, not in terms of what he could do on the court right now.</p>
<p>Now, five months after getting traded, Wiggins is coming on stronger than anyone anticipated.</p>
<p>He's the clear-cut favorite for Rookie of the Year, leading<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> all rookies in scoring at 13.9 points per game. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The most exciting part is that his numbers are skyrocketing as the season goes on. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">His points and rebounds per game have improved in each month of the season. Through four games in January, Wiggins has been on fire, averaging 23 points on 52% shooting to go with six rebounds and two assists per night.</span></p>
<p>Wiggins is riding a hot streak that will cool off, but in the meantime, he's blowing people away with his composure on offense. <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/andrew-wiggins-a-bright-spot-in-minnesota-timberwolves-narrow-loss-to-phoenix-suns-010815">Wolves head coach Flip Saunders recently said</a>:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"It's very gratifying, because I think everyone in here knows, the biggest question the national media always asks me, 'Is he passive?' That was the question coming out, and he's showing more and more that he's getting more aggressive."</p>
<p>Wiggins isn't getting the attention he would be getting if he played in a big market or next to LeBron in Cleveland, but the numbers he's putting up and the skill he's displaying are becoming harder and harder to ignore.</p>
<p>In a 27-point performance against the Sacramento Kings, Wiggins showed off a variety of impressive moves.</p>
<p>A smooth blow-by for a dunk in the lane:</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/54aea60a69beddf237c27144/andrew%20wiggins%20dunk%20vs%20kings.gif" border="0" alt="Andrew Wiggins dunk vs Kings"></p>
<p>A face-up and spin move that resembled one of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VcpG-u5ArE">Carmelo Anthony's patented moves</a>:</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/54aea622ecad04595dc2714c/andrew%20wiggins%20spin%20move%20vs%20kings.gif" border="0" alt="Andrew Wiggins spin move vs Kings"> </p>
<p>On his way to scoring 25 points on 10-16 shooting against the Suns, Wiggins showed off even more versatility, particularly on the fastbreak. A side-step to a big dunk:</p>
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<p>Another quick spin move on the break for a smooth finish:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24805437/developing-a-superstar-wolves-facilitating-andrew-wiggins-greatness">Wiggins' defensive potential</a> was always highly touted, with ESPN NBA analyst David Thorpe saying, "If he doesn't become a First Team All-NBA Defensive player, it's a failure by him and his coaching staff. You can't say that about a lot of guys, but that's his future."</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Wiggins' overall game is coming along much quicker than people anticipated. After a matchup with Dwyane Wade, </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/miamiheat/post/_/id/21134/wiggins-relishes-wades-words-of-wisdom">Wade reportedly asked Wiggins</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> if he wanted to be "great," and then told him to keep doing what he's doing. </span><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2014/12/22/minnesota-timberwolves-rookie-andrew-wiggins-in-no-rush-for-greatness/">Kobe Bryant said playing against Wiggins</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> was "like looking at a reflection of myself 19 years ago."</span></p>
<p>Wiggins has growing to do on both sides of the ball, as all rookies do. But he's only 19-years old! He's younger than Giannis Antetokounmpo, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/giannis-antetokounmpo-developing-2014-12">the exciting Bucks phenom</a> who's still miles behind where Wiggins is in his development.</p>
<p>As a 19-year-old with a fairly polished offensive game and elite potential as a wing defender, the league should be scared of what Wiggins will become.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-blowing-away-expectations-2015-1#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/adding-muscle-bad-for-nba-players-2014-11NBA Analyst Explains Why Adding Muscle Can Hurt Playershttp://www.businessinsider.com/adding-muscle-bad-for-nba-players-2014-11
Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:42:00 -0500William Scott Davis
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/54667276ecad0415226c845e-1200-900/lebron-james-jazz-cavs-3.jpg" border="0" alt="lebron james jazz cavs"></p><p>Coming into every NBA season, there are two common narratives about players returning from the offseason: they're in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-best-shape-of-his-life-2014-10">best shape of their lives</a> or they've added several pounds of muscle.</p>
<p>The latter is a common refrain for rookies and young players. Adding muscle is necessary for both ends of the floor as they play against older, stronger veterans in the league. Players routinely bulk up in the offseason as they enter the primes of their careers.</p>
<p>In <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24805437/developing-a-superstar-wolves-facilitating-andrew-wiggins-greatness">discussing Andrew Wiggins' potential with CBS's Zach Harper</a>, David Thorpe, an ESPN NBA analyst and executive director for the Pro Training Center in Clearwater, Florida, said adding muscle can actually be detrimental to players.</p>
<p>First, Thorpe mentions how adding too much muscle would hurt Wiggins' development, and then he expands the picture to the rest of the NBA:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"It would be a gigantic, enormous, criminal mistake if he were to bulk up. I believe, and I believe over the next 10 years we'll see it more, <strong>that's one of the reasons why guys get hurt so much more. Their skeletons are made to hold a certain body type. Bone density is different with every player. There's a combination there of your bones and your muscles that you need to respect.</strong> He is this incredible athlete that needs to look like that at all times."</p>
<p>Thorpe continues his thought, saying Wiggins will "develop strength anyway over time."</p>
<p>Thorpe's latter point certainly rings true to many young players who enter the NBA. Players frequently enter the NBA at 19, 20, and 21 years old, not fully in their athletic prime. Though weightlifting is certainly a necessary part of training and strength is vital to the game, many of them are still growing into their bodies. Like Wiggins, they'll develop strength as they mature.</p>
<p>In recent cases, older players have been losing weight to reduce the wear-and-tear on their bodies and extend their playing days. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lebron-james-sugar-carbs-diet-2014-9">LeBron James famously lost weight</a> this summer, as did other stars like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/carmelo-anthony-weight-loss-low-carb-2014-8">Carmelo Anthony</a>.</p>
<p>The movement of losing weight won't stop many players from adding several pounds of muscle during their offseasons — nor should it — but it'll be interesting to monitor in young, upcoming players, who trainers believe may benefit from their smaller frames.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&nbsp;</span></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lebron-carmelo-lose-weight-2014-8#ixzz3J50yUT1F" >The NBA's Best Players Are Losing A Bunch Of Weight, And It's All Because Of Kobe Bryant</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/adding-muscle-bad-for-nba-players-2014-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/coach-k-kevin-love-trade-2014-7Coach K Explains Why The Cavaliers Should Trade Andrew Wiggins For Kevin Lovehttp://www.businessinsider.com/coach-k-kevin-love-trade-2014-7
Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:59:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53ce5d9d69beddf56c41e603-800-600/kevin-love-8.jpg" border="0" alt="kevin love" /></p><p>Duke and U.S. national team coach <a href="http://feinstein.radio.cbssports.com/2014/07/21/mike-krzyzewski-id-trade-for-kevin-love-right-away/">Mike Krzyzewski told CBS Radio that he would trade Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love</a> if he ran the Cleveland Cavaliers, and there wouldn't be "one second of hesitancy."</p>
<p>His explanation has two parts: 1) Kevin Love is an exceptional player with a unique skill set, and 2) LeBron James is getting older and the Cavs can't afford to waste entire seasons waiting for their young guys to develop.</p>
<p>Kevin Love is really, really good:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">&ldquo;I think there&rsquo;s absolutely not one second of hesitancy, I&rsquo;d trade for Kevin Love. That&rsquo;s not saying anything about any of the other (players involved in the deal). Love&rsquo;s an All-Star.&nbsp;He&rsquo;s a double-double guy, but he&rsquo;s a double-double guy that can spread the court. There aren&rsquo;t many double-double guys, if any, who spread the court. He can go inside and outside. There may be a low-post player that gets you a double-double, but Love does it and you can do a lot of different things with him.&nbsp;I mean, I&rsquo;ve coached him on two teams. No pun intended, but I love Kevin Love."</p>
<p>LeBron James is getting older:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"You look at LeBron and you have the best player in the world. He&rsquo;s 29. I&rsquo;m not saying he&rsquo;s at the end of his career, but he&rsquo;s in the second half of his career, let&rsquo;s put it that way. And in the first half of his career, he was becoming a great player. He was a great talent becoming a great player. That takes time. If Wiggins or Bennett are going to be great, it&rsquo;s not going to happen right now. They&rsquo;re great talents. LeBron is a great player right now. You do not want to waste any year of a great player&rsquo;s career. Love is close to being that. He's not as great a player as LeBron but he's there. You know who Love is right now. They're always developing but he's a consistent outstanding player."</p>
<p>The Wiggins-Love trade debate has been <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-trade-for-kevin-love-2014-7">the dominant NBA talking point over the last few weeks</a>. The Cavaliers had originally said they wouldn't trade Wiggins, but <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-wiggins-love-trade-2014-7">changed their tune last week.</a></p>
<p>While Love is a great player, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/wiggins-love-trade-2014-7">trading for him carries some risks</a>. Right now Cleveland has the ability to keep LeBron, Kyrie Irving, and Wiggins and still have room to sign a maximum free agent in the summer of 2015 &mdash; when LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, and may even Love will be available. Trading for Love would end that roster flexibility.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/coach-k-kevin-love-trade-2014-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-wiggins-love-trade-2014-7The Cavaliers Are Reportedly Willing To Trade Andrew Wiggins For Kevin Lovehttp://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-wiggins-love-trade-2014-7
Thu, 17 Jul 2014 16:16:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img class="full" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53c82a9e6da811d610cfb7db-1189-892/andrew-wiggins-8.jpg" border="0" alt="andrew wiggins" /></p><p>The Cleveland Cavaliers would be willing to include Andrew Wiggins in a trade for Kevin Love, <a href="http://www.news-herald.com/sports/20140717/cleveland-cavaliers-now-willing-to-include-wiggins-in-kevin-love-trade-offer">Bob Finnan of the News-Herald</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffZillgitt/status/489856840298409984">Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today</a> report.</p>
<p>It was previously thought that the Cavs wouldn't trade Wiggins, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.</p>
<p>There are still a few obstacles here.</p>
<p>Love's contract expires at the end of the 2014-15 season. If Cleveland trades for him, they'll need assurances that he's willing to sign there for multiple years. They don't want to trade a prospect as good as Wiggins for a one-year rental.</p>
<p>According to ESPN's Marc Stein, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11203427/kevin-love-intrigued-commit-cleveland-cavaliers">Love is willing to stay in Cleveland for the long term</a> as long as LeBron James is there. But the&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">specifics of LeBron's deal &mdash; he has a two-year contract with a player option after the first year &mdash; mean that Love would have to commit to the team without knowing for sure LeBron will be there for the long term.</span></p>
<p>Cleveland also faces competition for Love from Golden State.</p>
<p>The Warriors <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11219099/golden-state-warriors-minnesota-timberwolves-talking-kevin-love-deal">have refused to include Klay Thompson in a trade for Love</a>. If the Cavaliers offering Wiggins motivates Golden State to include Thompson in a deal, Minnesota might go that route.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/2003-nba-draft-where-are-they-now-2014-6" >Where Are They Now? The Players From The Legendary 2003 NBA Draft</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-wiggins-love-trade-2014-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-trade-for-kevin-love-2014-7The Cavaliers Are Going After Kevin Love, Trying To Build The NBA's Next Super Teamhttp://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-trade-for-kevin-love-2014-7
Fri, 11 Jul 2014 14:12:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53c0213c6bb3f71c4978d753-480-/lebron-james-and-kevin-love.jpg" border="0" alt="LeBron James and Kevin Love" width="480" /></p><p>With <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lebron-james-signs-cavaliers-2014-7">LeBron James' decision to return to Cleveland</a>, the Cavaliers are now expected to aggressively pursue Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, which would instantly make the Cavs one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p>"I do believe the Cavs will aggressively target Kevin Love," said ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "There is probably not a player in the league that would fit better alongside LeBron James than Kevin Love."</p>
<p>According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, the Cavs have already offered the Timberwolves Anthony Bennett (the first pick of the 2013 draft), Dion Waiters (the 4th pick of the 2012 draft) and a future first-round pick for Love.</p>
<p>Love, who can opt out of his contract after next season, has never made the playoffs in six NBA seasons and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11068190/minnesota-timberwolves-kevin-love-hopes-everything-works-out">recently told ESPN</a> that he wants to be on a team where he can win.</p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53c02782ecad04e57063f3e0-800-550/03-27.png" border="0" alt="Kevin Love" /></p>
<p>Earlier this week, Ken Berger reported that Love does have interest in playing with the Cavs <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/status/486993395479744514">as long as they were able to sign James</a>.</p>
<p>Even with LeBron on board, the Cavs have several pieces that can be used in a trade to land Love.</p>
<p>One of the intriguing aspects of <a href="http://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers">LeBron's letter to Sports Illustrated</a> is that he mentions several Cavs players by name but does not mention Andrew Wiggins, the first pick of this year's draft. Wiggins has not yet signed a contract with the Cavaliers, which makes him eligible to be traded and it is hard to imagine the T'wolves will want to make a deal without the University of Kansas product.</p>
<p>The Cavs also may have as many as three first-round picks in next year's draft which can potentially be used in a trade. One of those, ironically, came from the Miami Heat, who suddenly need it a lot more than the Cavs do.</p>
<p>The Heat can keep that pick if it is in the top 10.</p>
<p>If the Cavs do trade for Love, he could potentially stay in Cleveland for two seasons even without an extension. However, he would almost certainly want to at least opt out and re-sign to a max contract if staying in Cleveland is considered desirable.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-trade-for-kevin-love-2014-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-draft-picks-list-2014-6Here's The Full List Of Picks From The 1st Round Of The NBA Drafthttp://www.businessinsider.com/nba-draft-picks-list-2014-6
Thu, 26 Jun 2014 22:46:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img class="full" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/532af79decad040e60d7c728-1200-800/ncaa-march-madness-tournament-andrew-wiggins.jpg" border="0" alt="ncaa march madness tournament andrew wiggins" /></p><p>The first round of the 2014 NBA Draft is complete.</p>
<p>This is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/2014-nba-draft-prospects-ranking-2014-6">expected to be the best, deepest NBA Draft</a> since LeBron's famous draft in 2003. Kansas center Joel Embiid <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/joel-embiid-foot-injury-2014-6">had long been thought to go No. 1 overall</a>, but a foot injury a week ago hurt his stock and the Cavaliers picked Andrew Wiggins.</p>
<p>Here's the full list of picks and trades from the first round:</p>
<p><strong>1. Cleveland Cavaliers</strong> &mdash; Andrew Wiggins, Kansas</p>
<p><strong>2. Milwaukee Bucks</strong> &mdash; Jabari Parker, Duke</p>
<p><strong>3. Philadelphia 76ers</strong> &mdash; Joel Embiid, Kansas</p>
<p><strong>4. Orlando Magic</strong> &ndash; Aaron Gordon, Arizona</p>
<p><strong>5. Utah Jazz &mdash;</strong> Dante Exum, Australia</p>
<p><strong>6. Boston Celtics &mdash;</strong> Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State</p>
<p><strong>7. Los Angeles Lakers &mdash;</strong> Julius Randle, Kentucky</p>
<p><strong>8. Sacramento Kings &mdash;</strong> Nik Stauskas, Michigan</p>
<p><strong>9. Charlotte Hornets</strong> &mdash; Noah Vonleh, Indiana</p>
<p><strong>*10. Philadelphia 76ers &mdash;</strong> Elfrid Payton, UL Lafayette (traded to <strong>Orlando</strong> for Dario Saric and a protected 2017 1st-round pick and a 2015 2nd-round pick)</p>
<p><strong>*11. Denver Nuggets</strong> &mdash; Doug McDermott, Creighton (traded to <strong>Chicago</strong> for 16th and 19th picks)</p>
<p><strong>*12. Orlando Magic &mdash;</strong> Dario Saric, Croatia (traded to <strong>Philadelphia</strong> for Elfrid Payton, Orlando also gives up future picks)</p>
<p><strong>13. Minnesota Timberwolves &mdash;</strong> Zach LaVine, UCLA</p>
<p><strong>14. Phoenix Suns &mdash;</strong> T.J. Warren, N.C. State</p>
<p><strong>15. Atlanta Hawks &mdash;</strong> Adreian Payne, Michigan State</p>
<p><strong>*16. Chicago Bulls &mdash;</strong> Jusuf Nurkic, Bosnia (traded to <strong>Denver</strong> with 19th pick for Doug McDermott)</p>
<p><strong>17. Boston Celtics &mdash;</strong> James Young, Kentucky</p>
<p><strong>18. Phoenix Suns &mdash;</strong> Tyler Ennis, Syracuse</p>
<p><strong>*19. Chicago Bulls &mdash;</strong> Gary Harris, Michigan State (traded to <strong>Denver</strong> with 16th pick for Doug McDermott)</p>
<p><strong>20. Toronto Raptors &mdash;</strong> Bruno Caboclo, Brazil</p>
<p><strong>21. Oklahoma City Thunder &mdash;</strong> Mitch McGary, Michigan</p>
<p><strong>22. Memphis Grizzlies &mdash;</strong> Jordan Adams, UCLA</p>
<p><strong>23. Utah Jazz &mdash;</strong> Rodney Hood, Duke</p>
<p><strong>*24. Charlotte Hornets &mdash;</strong> Shabazz Napier, UConn (traded to <strong>Miami</strong> for 26th pick and a 2nd-round pick)</p>
<p><strong>25. Houston Rockets &mdash;</strong> Clint Capela, Switzerland</p>
<p><strong>*26. Miami Heat &mdash;</strong> P.J. Hairston, UNC (traded to Charlotte for Shabazz Napier, Mami also gives up 2nd-round pick)</p>
<p><strong>27. Phoenix Suns &mdash;</strong> Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia</p>
<p><strong>28. Los Angeles Clippers &mdash; </strong>CJ Wilcox, Washington</p>
<p><strong>29. Oklahoma City Thunder &mdash;</strong>&nbsp;Josh Huestis, Stanford</p>
<p><strong>30. San Antonio Spurs &mdash;</strong> Kyle Anderson, UCLA</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-draft-picks-list-2014-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-pick-andrew-wiggins-2014-6The Cleveland Cavaliers Take Andrew Wiggins With The No. 1 Pick In The 2014 NBA Drafthttp://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-pick-andrew-wiggins-2014-6
Thu, 26 Jun 2014 19:42:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img class="full" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53acaf2669bedd3d422ad27a-1200-800/ap914617820012.jpg" border="0" alt="andrew wiggins draft" /></p><p>The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Kansas forward Andrew Wiggins with the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.</p>
<p>Wiggins was the consensus No. 1 pick back in the fall, but after a relatively disappointing season in Kansas his stock fell a bit.</p>
<p>Joel Embiid, Wiggins' teammate at Kansas, was <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/joel-embiid-foot-injury-2014-6">expected to be the top pick</a> until he suffered a broken foot a week ago.</p>
<p>Wiggins is a good fit here. The Cavaliers need defense, and Wiggins &mdash; while raw on the offensive end &mdash; should be a good wing defender from Day One. Kyrie Irving should be able to get him into good spots on offense as well.</p>
<p>The Cavaliers have a questionable draft history, but the initial impression is that this is a solid pick.</p>
<p>Excellent jacket too (via @corkgaines):</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53acb170ecad04ff5b2ad277-967-539/screen shot 2014-06-26 at 7.47.43 pm.png" border="0" alt="andrew wiggins" /></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cavaliers-pick-andrew-wiggins-2014-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/2014-nba-draft-prospects-ranking-2014-6The Top 30 Prospects In The Loaded NBA Drafthttp://www.businessinsider.com/2014-nba-draft-prospects-ranking-2014-6
Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:13:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img class="full" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/528294d1eab8ea420a9f9e95-1200-900/jabari-parker.jpg" border="0" alt="jabari parker" /></p><p>Thursday's 2014 NBA Draft is expected to be the best draft in 11 years.</p>
<p>ESPN's Chad Ford told Bill Simmons on a podcast that there are nine potential All-Stars in the class.</p>
<p>Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid (if healthy), and Jabari Parker are the top-tier players, but there are a whole bunch of other guys who have the potential to turn into stars.</p>
<p>Using the big boards from seven of the best NBA Draft experts, came up with an expert consensus ranking of the the top 30 prospects.</p>
<p>The rankings we used: ESPN's <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/top100/_/year/2014">Chad Ford</a>, ESPN's <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2014/story/_/id/11124849/2014-nba-draft-jay-bilas-ranks-30-best-prospects-draft?refresh=true">Jay Bilas</a>, Draft Express's <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/rankings/Top-100-Prospects/">Jonathan Givony</a>, CBS Sports's <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/prospect-rankings">Gary Parrish</a>, SB Nation's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/5/21/5731404/nba-draft-2014-big-board-andrew-wiggins">Tyler Lashbrook</a>, Sports Illustrated's <a href="http://www.si.com/nba/2014-nba-draft-big-board-top-50-best-available-prospects">NBA editors</a>, and NBADraft.net's <a href="http://www.nbadraft.net/ranking/bigboard">Aran Smith</a>.</p><h3>30. Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53aaeb41eab8ea9b0408427e-400-300/30-jarnell-stokes-tennessee.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average ranking:</strong>&nbsp;24.8*</p>
<p><strong>Position and height:</strong>&nbsp;Forward, 6'8"</p>
<p><strong>Top 30's:</strong>&nbsp;4 of 7</p>
<p><strong>Thing to know:</strong>&nbsp;He missed a bunch of team workouts in early June after <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2014/story/_/id/11108048/car-crash-interrupts-jarnell-stokes-workouts">a scary car crash in Florida</a>.</p>
<p><em>*Outside the top-30 in three rankings.</em></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>29. Jordan Clarkson, Missouri</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53aaeb3b69beddde24c768ac-400-300/29-jordan-clarkson-missouri.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average ranking:</strong>&nbsp;24.7*</p>
<p><strong>Position and height:</strong>&nbsp;Guard, 6'5"</p>
<p><strong>Top 30's:</strong>&nbsp;4 of 7</p>
<p><strong>Thing to know:</strong>&nbsp;His biggest weakness is shooting. He shot just 28% from 3-point range last year.</p>
<p><em>*Outside the top-30 in three rankings.</em></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>28. Jordan Adams, UCLA</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/537bb5efeab8ea215a4a344a-400-300/28-jordan-adams-ucla.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average ranking:</strong>&nbsp;27.6*</p>
<p><strong>Position and height:</strong>&nbsp;Guard, 6'5"</p>
<p><strong>Top 25's:</strong>&nbsp;5 of 7</p>
<p><strong>Thing to know:</strong>&nbsp;He initially announced he was going to stay in school before changing his mind at the last minute. He's now the 3rd-ranked prospect on his own team.</p>
<p><em>*Outside the top-30 in two rankings.</em></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/2014-nba-draft-prospects-ranking-2014-6#27-cleanthony-early-wichita-state-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-draft-top-3-picks-2014-6The NBA Draft Has Become A Nightmare For The Teams Picking In The Top 3http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-draft-top-3-picks-2014-6
Tue, 24 Jun 2014 11:05:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53a98fadeab8ea3373b256c7-1200-364/01-400.png" border="0" alt="Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, and Jabari Parker" /></p><p></p>
<p>A week ago, it looked like the top three picks in the draft were set and all three teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers would be able to draft exactly whom they wanted.</p>
<p>But then Joel Embiid of Kansas suffered a stress fracture in his foot and now all three teams may have to settle for somebody that was not at the top of their wish list.</p>
<p>The top three picks were not an absolute lock. But before Embiid's injury, many experts felt the Cavs would draft Embiid and the Bucks would take Jabari Parker from Duke (and nearby Chicago). That would have left Andrew Wiggins from Kansas available for the 76ers who reportedly were <a href="http://articles.philly.com/2014-06-18/sports/50654180_1_andrew-wiggins-third-and-10th-picks-the-sixers#3s08w8rj5Iyeb5cz.99">willing to trade up to the top spot</a> to ensure they could get him.</p>
<p>But Embiid's injury changes everything. Here is how those picks may play out now.</p>
<p>&nbsp;<strong>1. Cleveland Cavaliers&nbsp;&mdash; SF Jabari Parker, Duke</strong></p>
<p>According to <span class="ProfileHeaderCard-nameLink u-textInheritColor js-nav ProfileHeaderCard-nameWithBadges--1">Adrian Wojnarowski</span> of Yahoo.com the <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsLive/status/479806896392515584">Cavs will not draft Embiid</a> now that he is injured and may not play this season.</p>
<p>That leaves Parker or Wiggins with Parker considered the safer choice. But according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, a source told him that <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/mock/?season=2014&amp;version=10&amp;source=Chad-Ford-Mock-Draft&amp;ex_cid=InsiderTwitter_fordtworoundmock">Parker "tanked" his workout with the Cavs</a> and that he prefers to play for Milwaukee. One source with the Cavs said "it was clear we weren't his first option."</p>
<p>This could be good news for the Bucks. But according to Ford, there are still some in the Cavs front office who prefer Parker who is more "NBA-ready," and "fits a more immediate need."</p>
<p><strong>2. Milwaukee Bucks <strong>&mdash; SG </strong>Andrew Wiggins, Kansas</strong></p>
<p>The consensus appears to be that the Bucks want Parker and Parker wants the Bucks. But now it looks like they will have to go to their back-up plan.</p>
<p>According to C.F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the <a href="https://twitter.com/cf_gardner">Bucks want somebody that can help now and will not take Embiid</a>.</p>
<p>That leaves Wiggins or trading down and licking their wounds.</p>
<p><strong>3. Philadelphia 76ers</strong></p>
<p>Before the Embiid injury, the 76ers were "trying to do whatever they can to draft [Wiggins]," <a href="http://articles.philly.com/2014-06-18/sports/50654180_1_andrew-wiggins-third-and-10th-picks-the-sixers#3s08w8rj5Iyeb5cz.99">according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer</a>.</p>
<p>According to Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News, the 76ers are now <a href="https://twitter.com/BobCooney76/statuses/480780985122828292">interested in drafting Embiid</a> if he is still available.</p>
<p>But there is twist here. Embiid may not want to play in Philadelphia. <a href="https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/statuses/479651015226974208">According to Bill Simmons of ESPN</a>, Embiid's agent will push for his client to be drafted by either the Lakers or the Celtics if he is not the top pick.</p>
<p>Wojnarowski was a guest on <a href="http://www.danpatrick.com/">The Dan Patrick Show</a>, and explained that Embiid's agent could discourage teams from drafting his client by withholding the complete medical information from all teams except the Lakers or the Celtics. This would force the 76ers to make a choice without knowing how much of a risk they are taking.</p>
<p>Suddenly, a draft that appeared to be deep and shaking out exactly as everybody hoped, is now one of the craziest drafts in recent memory and a nightmare for the teams involved.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-draft-top-3-picks-2014-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/best-2014-nba-draft-prospects-2014-5The Top 30 Prospects In The Loaded 2014 NBA Drafthttp://www.businessinsider.com/best-2014-nba-draft-prospects-2014-5
Tue, 20 May 2014 19:38:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img class="full" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/532af79decad040e60d7c728-1200-800/ncaa-march-madness-tournament-andrew-wiggins.jpg" border="0" alt="ncaa march madness tournament andrew wiggins" /></p><p>The 2014 NBA Draft is expected to be the best, deepest draft in a decade.</p>
<p>Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid, and Jabari Parker are the top-tier players, but there are a whole bunch of other guys who have the potential to turn into stars.</p>
<p>We came up with an expert consensus ranking of the top 30 prospects in the 2014 draft.</p>
<p>We used the big boards from ESPN's <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/top100/_/year/2014/set/1">Chad Ford</a>, Draft Express's <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/rankings/Top-100-Prospects/">Jonathan Givony</a>, CBS Sports's <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/prospect-rankings">Gary Parrish</a>, and NBADraft.net's <a href="http://www.nbadraft.net/ranking/bigboard">Aran Smith</a>.</p><h3>30. CJ Wilcox, Washington</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/537bb5e369bedd76144a344a-400-300/30-cj-wilcox-washington.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average ranking:</strong>&nbsp;27.5*</p>
<p><strong>Position and height:</strong>&nbsp;Guard, 6'5"</p>
<p><strong>Top 10's:</strong>&nbsp;0 of 4</p>
<p><strong>Thing to know:</strong>&nbsp;He's one of the only players on this list who's a senior.</p>
<p><em>*Outside the top-30 in two rankings.</em></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>29. Jordan Adams, UCLA</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/537bb5efeab8ea215a4a344a-400-300/28-jordan-adams-ucla.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average ranking:</strong>&nbsp;27.5*</p>
<p><strong>Position and height:</strong>&nbsp;Guard, 6'5"</p>
<p><strong>Top 10's:</strong>&nbsp;0 of 4</p>
<p><strong>Thing to know:</strong>&nbsp;He initially announced he was going to stay in school before changing his mind at the last minute. He's now the 3rd-ranked prospect on his own team.</p>
<p><em>*Outside the top-30 in two rankings.</em></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>28. Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/537bbab86bb3f7a53418fdf1-400-300/28-kristaps-porzingis-latvia.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average ranking:</strong>&nbsp;25.0*</p>
<p><strong>Position and height:</strong>&nbsp;Forward, 7'0"</p>
<p><strong>Top 10's:</strong>&nbsp;0 of 4</p>
<p><strong>Thing to know:</strong>&nbsp;He averaged <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/4/28/5660788/kristaps-porzingis-nba-draft">six points per game in Spain</a>.</p>
<p><em>*Outside the top-30 in two rankings.</em></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-2014-nba-draft-prospects-2014-5#27-kj-mcdaniels-clemson-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-vertical-jump-photo-2014-5A Photo Of Top NBA Prospect Andrew Wiggins Jumping Freakishly Highhttp://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-vertical-jump-photo-2014-5
Thu, 15 May 2014 17:10:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p>Andrew Wiggins, who's expected to be one of the first three players taken in the loaded 2014 NBA Draft, is not participating at the NBA Combine.</p>
<p>Instead he's working out with Peak Performance Project (P3), an athlete training company.</p>
<p>The company posted <a href="http://instagram.com/p/oB7I4MqvSb/">this insane photo</a> of Wiggins jumping impossibly high this afternoon.</p>
<p>Wiggins is 6'8" tall and the most athletic player in the draft. There's no word on what his vertical leap was here, but wow:</p>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53752cafecad043a12dc9061-1200-1206/andrew-wiggins-vertical-leap-photo.jpg" border="0" alt="andrew wiggins vertical leap photo" /></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-vertical-jump-photo-2014-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/2014-nba-draft-big-board-top-prospects-2013-11The 23 Best Players In The Loaded 2014 NBA Drafthttp://www.businessinsider.com/2014-nba-draft-big-board-top-prospects-2013-11
Tue, 12 Nov 2013 16:55:00 -0500Tony Manfred
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/528294d1eab8ea420a9f9e95-480-/jabari-parker.jpg" border="0" alt="jabari parker" width="480" /></p><p>The 2014 NBA Draft is expected to be the best, deepest draft in a decade.</p>
<p>ESPN's Chad Ford says there are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAW6N7iD1xw">as many as eight All-Stars in this group</a>.</p>
<p>To come up with an expert consensus big board of the 23 best players in the draft, we combined rankings from <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/top100/_/year/2014">Ford</a>, SI's <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20130926/nba-draft-big-board-2014-andrew-wiggins/">Chris Mannix</a>, DraftExpress's <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/rankings/Top-100-Prospects/">Jonathan Givony</a>, and CBS Sports' <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/prospect-rankings">Gary Parrish</a>.</p>
<p>It's never too early to get excited for this draft.</p><h3>23. Jahii Carson, Arizona State (sophomore)</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/528298e96da8119d71f26e66-400-300/23-jahii-carson-arizona-state-sophomore.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average ranking:</strong> 23.25</p>
<p><strong>Position and height:</strong> Guard, 5'10"</p>
<p><strong>Top 20's:</strong> 1 of 4</p>
<p><strong>Thing to know:</strong> He's the shortest player on the big board.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>22. Semaj Christon, Xavier (sophomore)</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5282989a6bb3f7f2705f3d4a-400-300/22-semaj-christon-xavier-sophomore.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average ranking:</strong> 23.0</p>
<p><strong>Position &amp; Height:</strong> Guard, 6'3"</p>
<p><strong>Top 20's:</strong> 1 of 4</p>
<p><strong>Thing to know:</strong> He scored 15.2 points per game as a freshman last year.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>21. Doug McDermott, Creighton (senior)</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/514cba8ceab8ea1d6c000001-400-300/21-doug-mcdermott-creighton-senior.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average ranking:</strong> 22.0</p>
<p><strong>Position and height:</strong> Forward, 6'8"</p>
<p><strong>Top 20's:</strong> 1 of 4</p>
<p><strong>Thing to know:</strong> He's probably going to lead the country in scoring.</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/2014-nba-draft-big-board-top-prospects-2013-11#20-sam-dekker-wisconsin-sophomore-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-dunk-in-kansas-debut-video-2013-1018-Year-Old Phenom Andrew Wiggins Dunked An Alley Oop Over A Defender's Back In His Kansas Debuthttp://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-dunk-in-kansas-debut-video-2013-10
Wed, 30 Oct 2013 14:14:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img class="full" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/52714b8e69beddd5314a0837-800-/andrew-wiggins-dunk.jpg" border="0" alt="andrew wiggins dunk" width="800" /></p><p>Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins is widely considered the best player in the loaded 2014 NBA Draft.</p>
<p>He's 6'8" and ridiculously athletic.</p>
<p>Last night he made his college debut in an exhibition game against Pittsburg State, a Division II school. He showed glimpses of why NBA scouts are so high on him, particularly on this alley oop dunk.</p>
<p>He jumped over a defender, got fouled, and still contorted his body to finish the slam.</p>
<p>Here it is in GIF form (<a href="http://twitpic.com/djcb7t/full">via The Score</a>):</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52714aff6bb3f7cf6b56d911/andrew-wiggins-dunk.gif" border="0" alt="andrew wiggins dunk" /></p>
<p>And video:</p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="349" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6ERJVt0PsMw"></iframe></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-dunk-in-kansas-debut-video-2013-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/report-andrew-wiggins-could-receive-larger-sneaker-deal-than-lebron-james-2013-10Report: When Andrew Wiggins Goes Pro, He Could Receive A Bigger Sneaker Deal Than LeBron Jameshttp://www.businessinsider.com/report-andrew-wiggins-could-receive-larger-sneaker-deal-than-lebron-james-2013-10
Wed, 16 Oct 2013 17:34:00 -0400George Sitaras
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/525ea832eab8eabb59928bf9-1200-900/andrew-wiggins2.jpg" border="0" alt="Andrew Wiggins" /></p><p>Bleacher Report is reporting that high school basketball phenom Andrew Wiggins <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1808832-inside-the-epic-race-to-get-andrew-wiggins-sneaker-endorsement?utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=programming-national2">could earn up to $180 million for a sneaker endorsement deal</a> when he goes pro. Multiple shoe companies are reportedly interested in signing the high school star up to 10 years and more than $100 million dollars.</p>
<p>Three sources told Bleacher Report that Adidas has become the front-runner and want to sign Wiggins for an insane amount of money. An industry source told Bleacher Report:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"From what I'm hearing, (Adidas) is really high on him. I've heard a range for sure, from like $140 to $180 million for like 10 years. That's a big deal for a kid coming out of school because most rookie deals are probably like four years."</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Another source, close to Wiggins told BR:<br /></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"I'm hearing from people at Kansas that he's got a $180 million offer supposedly coming from Adidas. But I also heard that Nike is going to match anything."</p>
<div><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;">Any deal of over $100 million dollars would surpass LeBron James' <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/05/21/lebron_upperdeck_ap/">seven-year contract with Nike that was worth up to $93 million</a>, which was highest rookie endorsement deal ever.</span></div>
<div><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;">Unlike James though, Wiggins cannot become eligible for the draft until he completes at least one year in college, and he cannot sign a sneaker deal until he declares for the draft.</span></div>
<div><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;"></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;">Wiggins is definitely a phenom, check him out here:</span></div>
<p><iframe width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GLsK-ZoL9sY"></iframe></p>
<div><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></div><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/report-andrew-wiggins-could-receive-larger-sneaker-deal-than-lebron-james-2013-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-next-lebron-2013-5Here's Why People Are Calling Andrew Wiggins The Next LeBron James [VIDEO]http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-next-lebron-2013-5
Tue, 14 May 2013 15:51:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5192633469bedd1562000011-400-/andrew-wiggins-high-school-basketball.jpg" border="0" alt="andrew wiggins high school basketball" width="400" /></p><p>No. 1-ranked high school basketball prospect <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-wiggins-picks-kansas-2013-5">Andrew Wiggins committed to Kansas today</a>.</p>
<p>The 18-year-old from Toronto is widely considered the best high school prospect in years. Some say <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/name/nba_draft/id/9274168/2013-nba-draft-why-andrew-wiggins-go-no-1-2013">he's the best since Greg Oden in 2007</a>, while more bullish scouts say <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2013/05/13/andrew-wiggins-decision-weighs-heavy-on-college-hoops-landscape/2155345/">you have to go back to LeBron James</a> in 2003.</p>
<p>Here's why:</p>
<p><strong>1. He's a genetic freak.</strong> Wiggins is 6'8". He is long like Kevin Durant. He can dunk like a young Tracy McGrady, as evidenced by his insane highlight videos on <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/youtube">YouTube</a>. <a href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9269520/the-entire-hoops-world-waits-andrew-wiggins-college-basketball">ESPN's Myron Medcalf summed it up like this</a>, "<span>He's a member of that <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> genetic pool. The players whom competitors can't simply overcome with hard work alone. They're gifted. Unique."</span></p>
<p><span><strong>2. He's got skills.</strong> There are plenty of <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/nba">NBA</a> role players who are 6'8" and get by on pure, freakish athleticism. Wiggins is special because he has the skill to go along with it. He averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 58% in his senior year of high school.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><strong>3. He plays defense.</strong> What sets LeBron apart is that he's as good of a defender as he is a scorer. Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Andrew-Wiggins-6191/">wrote a glowing write up of Wiggins' defense</a>, "<span>Defensively, Wiggins has all the tools to be a game-changing presence, with his terrific size, length, frame and quickness."</span><span><br /></span></p>
<p><strong>4. He has room to grow.</strong> Wiggins still isn't a great ball-handler, his jump-shot isn't there yet (neither was LeBron's), and some say he just goes through the motions against lesser opponents. So right now, he's no where close to LeBron's level.&nbsp;<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20130207/andrew-wiggins/#all">But one scout told SI</a>, "<span>He has the highest ceiling I've seen in high school for a long time."</span><span><br /></span></p>
<p><strong>5. He'd be the No. 1 pick.</strong> An NBA scout told <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/espn">ESPN</a>'s Chad Ford that Wiggins <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/name/nba_draft/id/9274168/2013-nba-draft-why-andrew-wiggins-go-no-1-2013">would be picked No. 1 if he was eligible this year</a>. He also said that Wiggins would be picked above Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin, and Kyrie Irving if he had been in those drafts.</p>
<p>There are typically two types of NBA prospects &mdash; guys with raw athletic ability but limited skill, and guys with lots of skill but limited talent. Like Durant and James before him, Wiggins has shown that he has both, and the basketball world is enamored.</p>
<p>Wiggins is a different player than LeBron. He's not as big or physical. But in terms of hype at a young age, it's an apt comparison.</p>
<p>Here he is in action:</p>
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